17 Couch Alternatives For Creative Seating

One of the most common alternatives to couches is a circle of cozy chairs around a coffee table. It provides just as much, if not more, seating as a couch but gives everyone a little more personal space.

In this photo, they did a great job of tying everything together with the gold table and pink chairs. The vase with the colorful flowers is the perfect final touch, too.

Loveseat

If you’re in a situation where you’d love a sofa, but just don’t have the space, consider getting a small loveseat instead. In fact, depending on your layout, you may even be able to configure two love seats in the room to provide even more seating.

Set them up facing each other to create an intimate conversation space with a coffee table between for drinks and snacks. It’ll create a really inviting vibe, and will honestly look way more stylish than a sectional couch would.

Swinging Chair

Love the boho style? Swap out your sofa for one of these amazing swinging chairs instead.

Not only are they so much more fun than a traditional couch, but they’re also the perfect addition to a room with a boho look. Try a black cushion inside the swing and some bright green plants as floor decor around it (just make sure you give yourself plenty of room to swing).

Chaise Lounge

A chaise lounge is a great sofa alternative for anyone, but it’s especially great for someone who lives on their own and wants a place to relax without having to get a huge piece of furniture. It leaves plenty of space for you to lounge or for two guests to comfortably sit when they’re visiting.

You can jazz this up with a stylish throw pillow and a blanket tossed over it like in this picture.

Floor Poufs

Floor poufs are fantastic and cheap couch alternatives because you can find one to fit basically any aesthetic at a seriously budget-friendly price.

They can be used as a seat, pushed up against a wall as a backrest, as a footrest with an armchair, or even a small table if the situation calls for it. Get a few in a mixture of colors to avoid the space looking too matchy-matchy.

Furry Bean Bag Chair

For someone who wants to go totally untraditional, replacing the sofa with a few beanbag chairs is an excellent option. They’re totally versatile and can be easily moved from room to room – which definitely can’t be said for a sofa!

While this is a more whimsical sofa alternative, try to go for higher quality bean bag chairs that sit a little off the ground and are covered in a fabric with a fun pattern or cool texture like this furry option.

Upgraded Futon

This is not the kind of futon you’ll find in a college dorm. It’s actually stylish and doesn’t rely on an uncomfortable metal frame to hold it up.

Yes, this is technically a sofa, but it doubles as a bed so it’s a good option for someone whose living space doubles as their room or in a room that also serves as a guest room.

Velvet Daybed Cushion

Instead of investing in a few individual floor cushions, get yourself one long daybed cushion like this one. It’s the perfect size to fold up in half for a seat/back combo or to lay on the floor for multiple guests or for a spot to lay down and nap.

In this photo, the cushion is set up like a little cozy reading corner. You can get the same look with a cozy rug, oversize throw pillow, and some relaxing lighting.

Farmhouse Style Wood Bench

If you love the farmhouse aesthetic and don’t have the space for a full-size sofa, try something like this wood bench. It has the tall backing to provide a little extra comfort when you’re sitting on it as well as that rustic look the farmhouse style is famous for.

You don’t have to add anything to this bench to give it character (that’s the beauty of rustic furniture), but if you want to give it a little extra something, a small throw pillow is plenty.

Oversized Ottoman

For something larger than a bench, but still smaller than a sofa, try an oversized ottoman. They’re usually upholstered so you can still get that cozy look, but they’re way less expensive than a couch.

You can push the ottoman up against a wall and add some throw pillows and a blanket for a cozier look, or let it sit out in the middle of the room to serve as seating, a table, or whatever else you can think up.

Full-Size Daybed

Using a daybed as a couch is a really resourceful way to get two functions out of one piece of furniture. You can jazz it up with a lot of throw pillows and a cool bedspread to give it more of a couch vibe and your guests may not even notice the difference.

This is an especially smart alternative for someone with a studio or apartment or who lacks a guest bedroom since, when it’s not being used as a couch, a daybed can fit a twin, full, or queen size mattress (depending on the frame).

Floor Pillows

Floor pillows are one of the really trendy cheap living room seating ideas right now, and it’s no wonder. They add a lot of fun and color to a room, and can be stacked up when they’re not in use so they take up no space at all.

Get one for the floor and one to lean up against the wall for everyone in the house, then you’ll have double the cushions for guests to sit on the floor when they visit.

Oversized Reclining Chair

Instead of a couch, you can cozy up on this oversized reclining chair. It has more than enough space for you to lay every which way or you can always invite someone else to snuggle up next to you.

Since it’s so large, you’ll definitely want to find a way to add a little life to it. Try a couple of colorful throw pillows in different sizes.

Low-Backed Bench

A bench is always a great alternative for a couch, but they don’t always look cozy. However, if you get one with a back like this one, you’re still saving the same amount of space but without sacrificing the comfortable look.

Since it has the low back and sides, you really don’t need to add much to this bench to jazz it up. Just grab your favorite throw blanket and toss it on there for a little extra texture and color.

Cushion Sofa Bed

While Nuggets are all the rage with little kids, adults get this amazing cushion that can be folded up like a couch or spread out to make a little bed. It’s basically like an upgraded futon.

This is the perfect setup for a movie night, particularly if you’re someone who enjoys getting snuggled up to watch a movie only to pass out halfway through.

Cozy Lounge Chair

Don’t you just want to sink into that chair? Seriously, this thing looks cozy enough to replace your couch and your bed.

Getting one or two big cozy chairs like this is a great option for someone living alone or in a home with just a couple of people. Since it’s so big, you probably don’t want to try to fit more than two in your space, otherwise, you should just get yourself a couch.

Industrial Chic Upholstered Bench